Bidirectional C and N transfer and a potential role for sulfur in an epiphytic diazotrophic mutualism
In nitrogen-limited boreal forests, associations between feathermoss and diazotrophic cyanobacteria control nitrogen inputs and thus carbon cycling, but little is known about the molecular regulators required for initiation and maintenance of these associations. Specifically, a benefit to the cyanob...
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Published in | The ISME Journal Vol. 14; no. 12; pp. 3068 - 3078 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
Nature Publishing Group UK
01.12.2020
Nature Publishing Group |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | In nitrogen-limited boreal forests, associations between feathermoss and diazotrophic cyanobacteria control nitrogen inputs and thus carbon cycling, but little is known about the molecular regulators required for initiation and maintenance of these associations. Specifically, a benefit to the cyanobacteria is not known, challenging whether the association is a nutritional mutualism. Targeted mutagenesis of the cyanobacterial alkane sulfonate monooxygenase results in an inability to colonize feathermosses by the cyanobacterium
Nostoc punctiforme
, suggesting a role for organic sulfur in communication or nutrition. Isotope probing paired with high-resolution imaging mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) demonstrated bidirectional elemental transfer between partners, with carbon and sulfur both being transferred to the cyanobacteria, and nitrogen transferred to the moss. These results support the hypothesis that moss and cyanobacteria enter a mutualistic exosymbiosis with substantial bidirectional material exchange of carbon and nitrogen and potential signaling through sulfur compounds. |
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Bibliography: | LLNL-JRNL-796727 National Science Foundation (NSF) USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program AC52-07NA27344; 16-LW-030; SCW1039; IOS-1354423; OCE-1259994; IOS-1926972 USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) |
ISSN: | 1751-7362 1751-7370 1751-7370 |
DOI: | 10.1038/s41396-020-00738-4 |